NEWS FROM THE WEST COAST.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 57, 31 July 1862, Page 5 (Supplement)

NEWS FROM THE WEST COAST.

There Ims been a large gathering of Ring natives at Otaki, for the purpose of framing a code of laws for their guidance. Wiromu E Tako was present with his people from Wikanae. With some little difficulty the following document was obtained, and it is now published for general information : [tkaxslatiox.] This is a Manifesto establishing Laws. Ordained by the Law-makers of King Matulaera Potatau, with the full consent of their Council {llnnaega) to those laws. Firmly done this 251 h day of June, 1802. Law i. God is the head for all people of the world. Law 11. God is the Great Power (mai;a) above all powers {nga mana) of the world. Law Hi. Let man be fearing God, and obey his laws. Law IY. Let the love of man be groat to God ; let [him] also bo stedfast in religion ( iclidkapono ) ; also let [him] love man (le taugala.) 1. God is the head of the Ring. 2. The Ring is the head of men. 3. Let man fear the laws of the Ring. These are his laws : 1. If one man kills another man, By the law of the Ring he shall bo slain. 2. If a man steals, By the law of the Ring ho shall be scourged ( ichitta ). 3. If a man sells a piece of land, By the law of the Ring he shall verily be scourged. This is the [kind of] scourge intended for him, even indeed as that of Waitara. 4. The judgment (iohalcaiva ) of the Queen shall not fall upon the men of the Ring. 5. If a Queen’s summons should bo received by a Ring’s subject, it shall be destroyed with fire. C. The Ring’s subject shall not obey (or, go at) the summons of the Queen. 7. Debts due to whites ( paJceha ) should he properly paid. 8. If a Ring’s subject should steal any goods belonging to a white, it shall bo for the King to judge him. 9. Concerning leases [of laud], —such are not good. Should sheep come [to any place], they shall be killed, without judgment (or enquiry). 0 friends! here are laws for all of you, dwelling iu e"ery place of Aotcaroa. If thou shalt shortly bo killed {male). This is a direction unto thee, do thou be understanding. Do not thou sit still and say, thou wort not taught. These are laws firmly fixed for evermore. Done, —by all the Councils ( Eunanga ) of Tainui. Pukekaraka, District (of) Otaki.